How He Holds Me Together

It was after I’d scrubbed fingerprints and dog nose marks from the windows and doors. After I’d vacuumed rugs, mopped the tile, unloaded the dishwasher and filled the bathroom cabinet with clean, soft towels. After I’d smoothed out the wrinkles in the bed sheets and comforter, swept the patio and pulled the chicken from the freezer to thaw for dinner ~ when I remembered the ladies talking in the grocery store aisle.

When I heard the words, they sort of just sat there, unsettled and rough.

“As the mom and wife, you’re the glue that holds your family together,” one said to the other nodding her head in agreement.

My stomach knotted.

I gripped the shopping cart and wandered away…thinking, considering the burden of being “the glue” and how my poor family wouldn’t stand a chance if they relied solely on MY strength and abilities to keep things afloat at home.

He himself existed before anything else did, and he holds all things together.

(Colossians 1:17)

As the “mom and wife,” I couldn’t possibly be the glue that holds my family together. Without the strength of God, the presence of Him, the constant need and leading of Him, I am but an empty vessel.

The binding element in my family and my home is none other than the power and love of Jesus. He sustains, overcomes, strengthens, provides, protects, understands, calms and brings peace far beyond my ability.

I am not the glue that holds my family together, but my Jesus is.

"Creation Station" Contest

Where do you create?

· Do you run a home business?

· Are you a scrapbooker?

· Do you write?

· Do you paint?

· Are you a musician? A Photographer?

· Do you home-school?

· Do you sew or quilt?

Where does God inspire you most?

You have an opportunity to have your special space featured in the new “Creation Station” section of Christian Women’s Voice Magazine! Show us the space where God inspires you most and you could be in our NEXT issue!

· We want pictures!

· We want to know what makes your space so special!

· We want to know about you!

Entries must be received via email no later than midnight March 20th.

Visit: cwvinfo@christianwomensvoice.org and enter to win TODAY!

(Note: only 1 entry per issue will be chosen)

Reaching Down to the Roots

For whatever reason, the lavatera shrub that occupies a sunny corner of the garden has decided to shrivel. Her foliage is curled and dry and she’s thinned out so much that even the little finches have abandoned their hiding space within her branches to head for a thicker, denser residence.

I headed out yesterday morning to water and even though the poor thing looked so thirsty on the outside, I knew her foliage wasn’t what needed watering. No, what she needed was a deep-down soaking; a good, long drink that reaches clear to the roots with a sustaining power to last through the heat of the day.

Like the shrub that withers in the garden, it does little good to spray the foliage – moisture lasts but just a moment or so on the surface then evaporates. But the water that reaches clear to the roots, the heart of what’s been created, will remain and will continue to nourish and replenish.

I’m giving thanks today for those who reach the very heart of me.

I’m giving thanks for the ones who make themselves available to be used by God and FOR God.

I’m thankful that He brings the perfect sermon on a Sunday morning; a day when I enter our sanctuary empty and needing the Word. He brings a message that speaks to the root of me and feeds my spirit.

He brings the mother-in-law who calls me at 6am on a Saturday with perfect, God-breathed words of encouragement and a prayer for the day ahead.

He brings a sister in Christ by my office to share a coffee, a hug, a scripture, a gentle smile and a listening ear.

He brings that message in the mail, the one I stain with tears of joy for the comfort it gives.

In essence, it’s the light of the Lord shared by others that carries sustaining power. Praying you will be used by Him and for Him to reach the very root of someone today.

Simple Joy...

simplejoy...

Maybe I’m taking a que from Ann Voskamp’s, One Thousand Gifts. Maybe it’s because I see it all around me ~ those struggling with family, relationships, finances, worry for tomorrow. All the stuff that clouds our vision of “joy.” Maybe the idea came when that photo washed up out of the blue and landed there in front of me; the one of my son showing the boyish back of him in baseball cap and t-shirt fishing at the creek a 6-hour drive north. I remember the day and the warm sun, the song of clear mountain waters rushing and the patience of him sitting, waiting. The smells of campfires swirling, of peace and sweet Heaven in the air. All that took my breath away and stopped me head on. I grabbed the moment, the precious gift from the Giver to savor NOW, today and all of my tomorrows.

My hope is that you and I will see and realize the simple pleasures; the moments that give us the greatest joy without the great expense. They only require that we live with our eyes open, not to the frustrations and negative elements, but to the blessings sometimes buried beneath the rubble.

It takes but only a minute of our time. A pause in the big rush. Our words hushed and with a full heart we give thanks to the Father of all things wonderful and glorious.

There truly are simple joys in each day. What are some of yours?

Be sure and stop by the Christian Women’s Voice Facebook fan page and share YOUR simple joys – they COULD be included in our next issue!

Living Out Your Purpose

You may not know this, but I have super powers.

I’m the only one in the house who knows how to replace the empty tissue paper roll in the bathroom AND put the toilet seat down all in the same visit.

I know how to replace the kitchen paper towel roll, too and even wipe jelly off the counter…. but my super powers don’t stop there! No ma’am! I and only I can see the little wads of dog fur that accumulate beneath the couch and with my super-mom strength, I even manage to single-handedly lift the empty milk container from the fridge and stuff it into the garbage can.

With my special super-mom x-ray vision, I see beyond the backpacks and shoes all the way through to the dirty sock in the middle of the living room floor…the one that everyone else steps over for 3 days.

It’s really not their fault…poor things – they obviously don’t see all the things I see or possess the same powers as I do.

Obviously, the little jobs mentioned above are meant to be shared, but I have to believe that there are certain tasks meant for only you and for only me.

Have you thought about that lately?

About the task set aside with YOUR name on it? As the days stretch out into months and years, have you considered what it is you are meant to do? Do you believe that you’ve been designed to fulfill a particular need in this world – a purpose YOU and only YOU were created for and that it began all the way back when Jesus spoke your name for the very first time?

I want to remind you that it’s never too late to seek that purpose and live it out fully. If you’re still here, there’s still work to be done!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

(1 Peter 2:9) NIV

Find Your Center

I remember her tiny fingers swirling through flour releasing frail wisps in afternoon sunlight. And the kitchen all aglow like honey dripping down in late summer with windows open and the fragrant butterfly bush wafting in. Through our giggles and anticipation, together we formed little dough balls on the pan... formed little memories for the heart.

We pressed the centers of each and filled each little well with jellies and preserves. Our eyes grew big knowing the delicious center held the sweetest part.

Makes me think about what’s really at the center…the center of me?

What’s at the center of you?

I’ve thought about it a lot lately…considering my “center” in conversations. Do my words and my actions really reflect what’s within me? Do they reflect who’s within me?

Am I always mindful of the One I serve? The One who brings me through? The One who hears my thoughts and knows my heart?

Do I remember Who’s at the center when I’m discouraged and sad? I rush to speak His name when my soul rejoices, but do I remember my center when the storm rages?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13) NIV

Lord Jesus,

Help me to always feel your presence and hear your voice. May you always be at the center of me, the center of my strength and my courage just as I pray you are with the reader of these words. I thank you and praise you whether in my rejoicing or in the heart of the storm. In Jesus' name. Amen.

When I Need a Safe Place to Land

It’s that perfect scripture shared by a friend just when I need it most.

It’s the song or hymn felt and heard from somewhere down deep inside.

It’s that sigh when I’m found nestled among pillows on my favorite seat in the house.

It’s that great cup of coffee that soothes away the tension and strife of the day.

When it’s fear and uncertainty that have me alert and jumping, it’s only the Lord who, with one steady wave of His hand, sweeps away all that has me on edge….all that rattles me. He speaks peace to my weary self and breathes comfort and security that claims me as His own.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8) NIV ~~~ I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

(Psalm 16:8) NIV